IAPH selects Olympia’s new ICC to host London's first World Ports Conference in almost 30 years

The International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) has announced that its annual Word Ports Conference will return to London for its 2026 edition. The event will take place at Olympia’s International Convention Centre (ICC), a brand-new convention centre that forms a key part of Olympia’s £1.3bn redevelopment.

The multi-billion-pound redevelopment is transforming Olympia into a fully integrated destination for events, entertainment, hospitality and business. Combining on-site hotels, dining and cultural experiences with state-of-the-art conferencing facilities, Olympia offers delegates a seamless, all-day event experience within an iconic London setting.

Taking place on 3-6 November 2026, the expanded four-day conference will bring together global port leaders alongside stakeholders from shipping, policy, finance and technology. Delivered under the theme “Port Leadership for a Brave New World”, the programme will span plenary sessions, breakout streams, roundtables, briefings and site visits.

The 2026 conference marks a step change in scale, professionalism and strategic ambition for IAPH. Set to welcome 700 delegates, a 12.9% increase year on year, the conference is expanding from its traditional three-day format to deliver a more dynamic and interactive programme. This enhanced format will introduce a different blend of event formats, and more interactive sessions, creating greater opportunities for engagement, collaboration and knowledge exchange among senior global stakeholders.

The new ICC at Olympia, operated by Olympia Events and managed by Legends Global, provides a state-of-the-art setting to support this evolution. With a portfolio spanning more than 450 venues worldwide, Legends Global brings extensive expertise in delivering world-class events at scale.

Patrick Verhoeven, Managing Director at IAPH, said:

“London is the intelligence hub of global shipping and home to many leading international shipping organisations, including the International Maritime Organization. Bringing the IAPH World Ports Conference to Olympia in 2026 feels like a natural return to a city that has long been at the centre of the global maritime sector. London’s unrivalled business ecosystem aligns closely with our ambitions for the conference, and Olympia provides the scale, accessibility and quality needed to bring this international community together. The new ICC enables us to deliver a more ambitious, multi-stream event and create an environment that supports meaningful collaboration and long-term industry progress.”

The IAPH World Ports Conference was first held in London in 1965, a milestone moment that helped establish the association as a truly global organisation. In 2025, IAPH marked its 70th anniversary, underlining its continued growth and international reach, with delegates from more than 90 nationalities attending the event. The 2026 edition, taking place at Olympia’s ICC, marks a significant return to the UK capital for the first time since 1997.

A truly global gathering, the 2026 conference is expected to attract delegates from more than 60 countries, with over 75% travelling internationally. Attendees will include C-suite and senior executives from the ports and shipping sector, alongside representatives from regulatory bodies, finance, insurance and global trade organisations.

Adam Pollington, Sales Director of Events at Olympia Events, which operates the heritage halls, new International Convention Centre (ICC) and The Addison premium lounge at Olympia, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome this landmark event in the IAPH annual calendar to Olympia. The new ICC has been designed specifically to support complex, multi-stream international events at scale, and this is exactly the type of platform IAPH requires as it continues to grow. Olympia offers more than just a venue. Our central London location and proximity to Heathrow, combined with our new modern conferencing spaces and on-site facilities, including accommodation and dining, provide the ideal setting for events like this to grow and strengthen their international profile."

Suzanne Singleton, Head of Associations at the London Convention Bureau, added:

“London has long been a global crossroads for trade, innovation and international collaboration, so it is asignificant moment to see the IAPH World Ports Conference return to the capital. As one of the world’s leading destinations for large-scale conferences and international gatherings, London offers the connectivity, expertise and global outlook that events of this scale require. We’re excited to see IAPH bring this important eventto the new ICC atOlympia, showcasing both the venue’s remarkable transformation and further strengthening London’s position on the world stage for major business events.”